This lesson is to introduce the students to the water and nutrient cycles and how they relate to the ecosystem. They will become familiar with important phases of each cycle and know the vital processes involved in each. We will start the class with an inquiry activity about the water cycle, go over/correct the activity together, and then I will provide the notes. If time permits, the students will form groups and each have to draw a poster about a certain cycle.
Objectives
Students will be able to define transpiration, and explain its importance in the water cycle.
Students will compare and contrast the nutrient cycles.
Students will summarize the water cycle in their own words, but using the key terms evaporation, condensation, transpiration, precipitation, and run-off.
After it rains, the water runs across the land and eventually finds itself where? (Oceans, bays, rivers, etc..) It rains a lot here in Rhode Island, can anyone tell me why Narragansett Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Potters Pond, etc... don't just fill up with water? (Water evaporates from the oceans, bays, streams, etc... so they do not fill up)
Imagine evaporation didn't occur, how would life in Rhode Island be different? (we would be underwater)
Say: "This is just one example of how important the water cycle is to our environment and world around us."
Unit: Ecology
Title: Water and Nutrient Cycles
Lesson Overview
This lesson is to introduce the students to the water and nutrient cycles and how they relate to the ecosystem. They will become familiar with important phases of each cycle and know the vital processes involved in each. We will start the class with an inquiry activity about the water cycle, go over/correct the activity together, and then I will provide the notes. If time permits, the students will form groups and each have to draw a poster about a certain cycle.Objectives
Materials
Links to Resources
Safety Issues
Instruction
Opening
Learning Activities
Closing
Assessment
Homework
Additional Notes